Warlords Battlecry 3: Protectors of Etheria (Mod)

Acrux · Post by **Acrux** » July 29th, 2023, 20:37

As of today, it now has a Steam page.

This is an extensive reworking of the old Infinite Interactive RTS/RPG hybrid, WB3. The game has an interesting history. Steve Fawkner made it open source around 2010, I think. They've been on version .89 for a long time, .9 was announced in January, and now with this Steam page it looks like they will be releasing it soon.

Warlords Battlecry: The Protectors of Etheria (or TPE), is a mod for Warlords Battlecry 3 and sequel to the Warlords franchise. TPE is an ambitious project which focuses on a new interactive RPG experience and a streamlined & modernized RTS experience. It is stand-alone, meaning that it can be run without having the original game installed.

Currently, TPE is in development (and has been since 2010), and has not reached a stable version. However, there are beta versions available for download. All users are considered beta testers and are encouraged to report bugs and make suggestions:
- On the TPE forum
- On the TPE Discord channel
Multiplayer games are also run on the Discord channel.

Among various other features, TPE attempts to achieve the following:
- Provide new RTS and RPG elements which deliver greater strategic and role-playing depth, including greater terrain influences on battles, unit types, dialogue choices, multiple endings and psychological profiles
- Improve old, poorly designed systems or mechanics, including the resource, combat stat, damage type/armor, hero, retinue, conversion and terrain systems
- Integrate all official Warlords lore into the game, including lore from: Warlords, Warlords 2, Warlords 3 & its expansion, Warlords Battlecry, Warlords Battlecry 3, Puzzle Quest & its expansions, Puzzle Quest 2, Puzzle Quest 3 and unofficial TPE lore to help fill any gaps (which is based on and respects Warlords lore)
- Provide new content, including music, maps, productions, heroes, items and a new story-driven, multi-choice campaign with diplomacy, new locations, quests, characters, and videos, which also changes based on hero traits and any of their prior actions or choices
- Provide the campaigns of the previous Warlords Battlecry games, including the Tears of Dawn WBC1 campaign, the Conquest WBC2 campaign and The Fifth Horseman WBC3 campaign, all updated with TPE’s gameplay
- Improve pre-existing content, providing new graphics, audio, features and functionality
- Provide up to 16 player gameplay which can be reliably played in multiplayer
- High resolution support for up to 4K
- Improve the editor, increasing the amount of control that map-maker’s have over their designs
- Fix every single one of the series’ bugs, from the most notorious to the most insubstantial, thereby providing the most reliable and bug-free experience in Warlords Battlecry history
- In general, bring the game up to modern standards and fulfill the potential of Warlords Battlecry, a founder of the role-playing real time strategy genre

Acrux · Post by **Acrux** » December 6th, 2023, 18:21

The 0.9 release (a huge update) now has a scheduled release date of December 24th, 2023.

Acrux · Post by **Acrux** » December 24th, 2023, 19:02

Just released!

https://www.moddb.com/games/the-protect ... a-v09-full

That's the link to the full version. The game is open source. There's also a version on Steam for anyone who wants to buy the base game (lol why).

Acrux · Post by **Acrux** » December 27th, 2024, 06:02

I guess they are doing yearly updates. 0.9.2 has been released with some improved features.

The Protectors’ latest update, version 0.9.2, introduces a wealth of changes and enhancements aimed at improving the gameplay experience while staying faithful to the core values of Warlords Battlecry. Following feedback from the community, this patch revisits several mechanics and features, refining them to appeal to both long-time fans and new players. The update brings back damage types and armour systems, significant quality of life improvements, hero and item overhauls, a revamped building interface, and an updated Warlords Battlecry 1 soundtrack.

Damage types and armour system
The reintroduction of damage types and armour systems marks a major step towards restoring the tactical depth of the original games. Units now possess specific armour percentages against different damage types, offering players a clearer understanding of their strengths and vulnerabilities. This overhaul ensures tactical variety and intuitive unit roles, while also addressing issues caused by the previous unit type system. Dual-damage mechanics have also been refined to make them more effective and strategically valuable. Additionally, each race now has access to new dual-damage type research, enhancing their ability to counter opponents effectively.

Unit statistics have undergone extensive revision, with elite units and titans becoming more cost-effective and powerful. A new cost calculation system ensures fairness in unit and building costs.

Dual-wielding items for all heroes
Heroes and items have also seen substantial updates. Instead of wearing a sword and a shield, any hero may now opt to wield two swords instead. Perks like Archery, Magery, and Throwing have been removed, allowing any hero to equip any weapon with appropriate stat requirements. New skills such as Spellslinger and Runecrafting further enrich hero customization. The introduction of two-handed weapons adds another layer of diversity, and the updated item upgrade system makes high-rarity items more desirable and easier to identify.

User interface and buildings
The update also introduces a new building production wheel, streamlining the interface and improving accessibility. Other building-related improvements include visible conversion progress and expanded garrison options, which now accommodate more unit types. Towers can now contest conversions, enhancing defensive strategies.

WBC1 Soundtrack modularity
A new modular soundtrack, based on Warlords Battlecry 1, adds immersive audio elements, complete with an adjustable volume slider for stingers.
<h3>AI improvements, conqueror diplomacy and some extra content</h3>
Numerous bug fixes and AI improvements enhance the stability and intelligence of the game. AI units now utilize abilities, items, and garrisons more effectively, while new mechanics like unit pathfinding and spell-casting adjustments improve overall gameplay flow. Other updates include the addition of diplomacy features in the Warlords Battlecry 2 campaign and new content such as buildings, afflictions, and faction-specific mechanics.

Adjustable key mechanics
Key mechanics like the base radius, resources, and upkeep have been revisited based on community feedback. The base radius now limits forward bases and emphasizes racial distinctions, though options exist to disable it for those who prefer a different playstyle. The resource system, while simplifying unit production, has been fine-tuned to maintain balance and thematic coherence. Upkeep has been adjusted to encourage comebacks while mitigating the economic dominance of leading players. Future iterations of these systems are under active consideration to address lingering concerns.

Updated campaigns and chapters
Finally, campaigns have been improved to align with these changes. Updated mechanics ensure better balance and functionality, providing a more cohesive experience for players revisiting the original campaigns.

This comprehensive patch not only addresses the feedback from 0.9 but also sets the stage for a promising future for The Protectors, delivering a richer and more balanced gameplay experience. We thank you for the continued support and hope to see you on the battlefield!

The Protectors Team